demorar Imperfect Subjunctive Conjugation
demorar — to delay
The imperfect subjunctive of demorar (demorara/demorase) expresses past hypotheticals or wishes.
demorar Imperfect Subjunctive Forms
When to Use the Imperfect Subjunctive
Use the imperfect subjunctive of demorar after phrases expressing doubt, desire, emotion, or in 'if' clauses referring to past or hypothetical situations. It's like saying 'if I were to delay' or 'I wish you would delay'.
Notes on demorar in the Imperfect Subjunctive
Demorar is regular in the imperfect subjunctive. You can use either the -ra or -se ending (e.g., demorara or demorase), with the -ra form often being more common.
Example Sentences
Ojalá no se demorara tanto en llegar.
I wish he wouldn't delay his arrival so much.
él/ella/usted
Si demoraras la decisión, podríamos reconsiderarlo.
If you were to delay the decision, we could reconsider it.
tú
Dudaba que ellos se demoraran en el camino.
I doubted they would delay on the way.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Era importante que no demoráramos la respuesta.
It was important that we didn't delay the response.
nosotros
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the preterite instead of the imperfect subjunctive: 'Si demoró'.
Correct: For hypothetical 'if' clauses in the past, use the imperfect subjunctive: 'Si demorara' or 'Si demorase'.
Why: The imperfect subjunctive is specifically used for unreal or hypothetical conditions, especially those referring to the past or present contrary-to-fact situations.
Mistake: Confusing -ra and -se endings.
Correct: Both 'demorara' and 'demorase' are correct imperfect subjunctive forms for 'él/ella/usted'. Choose one and be consistent.
Why: While both are grammatically correct, native speakers tend to favor one over the other depending on region and context.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: demoro
The present tense of demorar is regular: demoro, demoras, demora, demoramos, demoráis, demoran.
Preterite
yo: demoré
The preterite of demorar is regular: demoré, demoraste, demoró, demoramos, demorasteis, demoraron.
Imperfect
yo: demoraba
The imperfect of demorar is regular: demoraba, demorabas, demoraba, demorábamos, demorabais, demoraban.
Future
yo: demoraré
The future tense of demorar is regular: demoraré, demorarás, demorará, demoraremos, demoraréis, demorarán.
Conditional
yo: demoraría
The conditional of demorar is regular: demoraría, demorarías, demoraría, demoraríamos, demoraríais, demorarían.
Present Subjunctive
yo: demore
The present subjunctive of demorar expresses wishes, doubts, or uncertainty about present/future delays: demore, demores, demoremos, demoren.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: demora
The imperative of demorar is irregular in the tú form: demora, demore, demoremos, demorad, demoren.
Negative Imperative
yo: no demores
Negative commands for demorar use the present subjunctive: no demores, no demore, no demoremos, no demoréis, no demoren.